Calling Māori event management students and professionals - be part of the 2018 Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival observer programme.

The Team from

This is a chance for people with Māori whakapapa who study, work in or aspire to study or work in event management to go behind the scenes of this annual cultural festival, held over Auckland Anniversary Weekend.


The festival is delivered by Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED), on behalf of Auckland Council, in partnership with mana whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau. This free and family-friendly festival showcases the unique Māori history, heritage and contemporary culture of Tāmaki Makaurau.


ATEED’s tailored observer programme gives successful applicants the opportunity to meet and talk with the festival production team; attend a live brief in the on-site operations centre (OSOC); go backstage to the ‘green room’; watch the stage manager in action and chat with the back of house coordinator; get an overview of the importance of stall operating conditions and food safety; and get an insight into the event kaupapa.


Email tamakifest@aucklandnz.com, and tell the team about themselves, their whakapapa, studies or work, and how taking part in the observer programme would benefit them. Taking part is free of charge, but participants are responsible for their own travel to and parking at the festival and any accommodation, if required.


Applications close at 5pm on Tuesday, 31 October and applicants will be notified by Friday, 1 December.